Victory in the Essex Cup

Rochford Hundred Harts put in an excellent performance in front of a very good crowd at Magnolia Road to book their place in the next round of the Essex Cup. It was a hard fought victory from the boys in Black in a game that had everything any spectator could ask for in a game of Rugby. However the Harts were immediately on the back foot from the kick off as Westcliff Lions were looking to make an impact from the start and put their neighbours good run of wins as of late to bed. Some excellent work in the loose by the Westcliff pack and some fine lines of running from their backline eventually led to the opening score of the game within the first 5 minutes when an overlap created the space out wide for the wing to outpace the cover defence to score in the corner much to the delight of the Westcliff support, Rochford 0 – 5 Westcliff.

Although this put the Harts on the back foot they hit back almost immediately and managed to pin Westlciff into their own 22 through some fine kicking by fly half Head. The resultant line out was missed by the Lions jumper and was picked up at the back by Warner who managed to break the defensive line to score, Rochford 5 – 5 Westcliff. The Lions then took control of the game for the next 20 minutes spreading the ball wide on every occasion they could get but were up against a resilient Rochford defence led by Pickering, and O’Benny however the pressure eventually told and Westcliff managed to score another further 2 tries one of which was converted to give them a good lead of Rochford 5 – 17 Westcliff.

The Harts knew now that they had to hit back, the pack started to secure its own ball through the set piece after a nervous start and the Rochford backline always looked dangerous with the likes of Ridgeway and White on the wings constantly taking yards when they had hands on the ball. The break through finally came after an excellent catch and drive from the line out, which was being brilliantly controlled by Captain Chipper, led to some quick ball for Heads backline who managed to create the space for fullback Scaniglia-Cooke to split the line of defence to get his first try of the game which was converted by Chipper to reduce the arrears, Half Time Rochford 12 – 17 Westcliff.

The second half started in a bit of a fiery manner when the referee had no choice but to put both Chipper and the Westcliff blindside in the bin for fighting. However this did not deter Rochford who knew that the next score would be crucial. Some tireless work by the Rochford Pack in the tight, especially from the front row of Avis, Payne and Marks put the boys on the front foot, and were producing excellent ball for the backline to show what they can do and Josh Levy was unlucky to be hauled out into touch just 10 yards from the Westcliff line. The resulting line out saw Duboux having an excellent game nick the ball in the line out and quickly off loaded to stand in Scrum Half Scaniglia-Cooke, whilst Chipper was having his short rest. Scaniglia-Cooke then attacked the backline with ball in hand stepped the full back and fly half on his way to getting his second for the day. This try was converted by Head in Chippers absence to put Rochford in front for the first time on the day, Rochford 19 – 17 Westcliff.

With their tails in front Rochford then started to apply the pressure, some brilliant work in the loose by the back row of Goodliffe, Searles and Warner led to Stemp managing to find a hole in the resolute Westcliff defence and sprint over the line to open his account for the day, with Chipper adding the extras Rochford 26 – 17 Westcliff. The team from Aviation Way were never out of the game however and it took some excellent defensive work to keep the Lions at bay but the lads from Magnolia Road were in no mood to let them back in it and from a turn over at the ruck Stemp managed to sprint 50 yards down field only to be stopped by a finger tip tap tackle, although the cover defence was adjudged to have come in from the side of the ruck and a penalty was awarded to Rochford. This was put 40 yards downfield and from the resulting line out Stemp was fed the ball again and this time he wasn’t going to make any mistake and managed to crash his way over the line for another converted try Rochford 33 – 17 Westcliff.

The last ten minutes of the game was a very nervous one for players and spectators alike. Westcliff were throwing everything at Rochford but once again their defence held strong with Knowles, Morris, Ashton and Gledhill all putting in some crucial tackles to keep the Lions at bay, and it was an unfortunate intercepted pass that allowed their winger a breakaway try to reduce the deficit, Rochford 33 – 22 Westcliff. Eventually though time had ran out on what was a fantastic game of rugby with Rochford taking the spoils in this bruising encounter, and I am sure both sides will now be looking forward to meeting each other again in the league come February.

Fantastic heart, fantastic spirit and fantastic rugby played by two of Essex’ best sides is what will be taken away by the large crowd that came to show their support for both teams as well as the thirty or so lads that took part in the event, brilliant job well done guys. Rochford Harts head back into league action next week when they face Braintree at home, and after last year’s Essex Cup semi-final clash between these two sides this one again appears as though it is going be another great encounter.